Final answer:
To minimize response times, an organization should redistribute decision-making authority, enabling quicker decisions at lower levels, compared to other restructuring methods which may involve integration challenges or workforce reductions.
Step-by-step explanation:
An organization experiencing rapid growth and struggling to respond quickly to competitive threats should consider redistributing decision-making authority. This approach allows for faster response times by empowering lower levels of the organization with the ability to make decisions without unnecessary delay. Merging or acquiring might lead to reduced competition but can create integration challenges and staff reductions, which may slow down immediate responses due to the need for restructuring and alignment of corporate cultures and processes.
An extended organization approach involves a broad network of partnerships, which may also not directly solve the responsiveness issue. Lastly, downsizing to save costs could potentially hinder the company's capability to respond quickly by reducing the workforce needed to react to market changes.